A new season of fights between the sisters. Everyone has marveled at how well they get along. I didn’t know any different. They both made an effort I guess. But now Ivy is getting under Jackie’s skin. Sometimes literary. She seeks connection but often through proximity regardless of what others want. Thus she gets a rise out of Jackie. And me. 

They keep pushing each other, calling each other out, teasing or taking toys. Especially legos. 

Today Ivy was running around without a jacket at school. I saw her when I went to pick them up. It’s very cold again. This is how kids catch colds in the spring. Then as she came out with her jacket in arms, I asked her to put it on. We then found out she lost her hat, I sent them back to find it. Slim chances. They can’t find things in their room if they trip on them. Finding a hat that fell on the ground somewhere in school… not so much luck. 

We had a difficult day already. I guess it rubs off. The girls were irritable all day. Disconnected. Not being honest when we asked them about basic things. Telling straight up lies. Ivy is on a streak. It is actually getting me worried. I grounded them. No more playing outside for a week. It’s rainy and cold anyway. They forget to come home and do things that they used to ask permission prior. It is a jump in her development I guess but this new youngest kid dabbing with pre-pre teen behavior …I must pull my sleeves up and roll with the punches. I seek connection with purpose and to my delight she answers. It doesn’t always come from that warm fuzzy feeling inside. It’s a conscious decision. To reach out and affirm and embrace and connect.